Car-coupling



J. GODSBY.

R COUPLING,

No. 436,954. Patented Sept. 23, 1890.

@1 OVJJfl ESSQ EV%/. I [NYE/V22? (ink Mk cm I W 44W MO UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. GODSEY, OF CLEBURNE, TEXAS.

CAR-COUPLlNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,954, datedSeptember 23, 1890.

Application filed July 14, 1890.

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. GonsEY,a citizen of the United States,residing at Oleburne, in the county of Johnson and State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvementsin Car-Couplings;andldohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of the invention is to provide means for setting orsupporting the pin and link of the ordinary car-coupler, so that carswill be automatically coupled when brought together; and it consists ina frame or holder for the coupling-pin and a frame or holder for thecoupling-link and in certain features of construction and combinationsof parts, hereinafter described and particularly pointed out.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevw tion showing a link in lockedposition. Fig.

2 is a plan of same. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of same. Fig. 4. is aleft-hand side elevation with the link-frame in raised position. Fig. 5is a plan of same. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of same. Fig. 7 is aperspective of a detail.

Numeral 1 denotes the pin, 2 the link, and 3 the draw-head, of acoupler. I

To the draw-bar 4 is loosely secured a plate 5, similar to thespring-holding plate 6. On the under side of plate 5 is attached thepinsupporting frame 7, preferably by means of a staple 8. Each sidemember of the frame 7 has a hinge-connection with the plate or with thestaple or other part connected to the draw-bar, substantiallyasindicated, and from the hinge each member extends laterally to the sideof the draw-bar frame 9 and then forward to the head, over which itpasses and connects with the opposite member near the pin-hole in thedraw-head. Aloop or slot 10 for the reception of the coupling-pin isformed at that point. 11 11 are spring-brackets pivoted in the draw-barframe to support the pin-holding frame when the latter is set to holdthe pin for automatic coupling. The frame 7 ,having been raised abovethese brackets by the compression of the bracket-springs, will rest upontheir upper ends until such time as the parts 7 7 of the frame have beenSerial No. 353636. (No model.)

pushed back-andtheoutwardlybentor notched parts 7 2 7 are broughtopposite said brackets, whereupon the frame falls by gravity to theposition indicated in Fig. 1. This will occur when the draw-heads of twocars collide, and such collision automatically drops and guides the pininto its hole in the head. To set the frame 7 and the pin for thisoperation it is only necessary to raise it about its hinged or pivotedconnection with plate 5 until the side members rest on the brackets 11.

The link supporting or setting frame 12 has a sliding connection withframe 7 by means of the sleeves or rings 12 12. Forward of these sleevesand in position to be engaged with the transverse portions 7 7 3 of thepin-frame are provided rack teeth or projections 13, the purpose ofwhich is to hold frame 12 in fixed relation vertically with thepin-frame and the draw-head. The link-frame extends around the front ofthe head when set for supporting the link for coupling, substantially asindicated in the drawings. When so set, the link is inv position to beentered in an opposing head, and will be so entered by a collision ofdraw-heads, which also drops the pin and couples the cars. The severalslots formed by the teeth 13 provide for supporting the link-frame atdifferent elevations to suit cars or draw-heads of different altitudes.

14 indicates a guide or guard attached to the link-frame, which insuresthe falling of the link-frame when the draw-heads approach each other,and thus prevents the link-frame being caught between them.

It will of course be understood that the link-frame is set upon one carand the pinframe upon another that is to be coupled with y it, both endsof each car preferably being provided with both frames. hen not set, thefront end of the pin-frame rests on the drawhead and the front end ofthe link-frame drops below the same.

The particular forms of the frames or their mode of connection with thedraw-bar or with each other is not of the essence of the inventionexcept in so far as they are necessary to the operation set forth. Thepin-frame may be pivoted to the draw-bar in any convenient manner, andthe pin loop or slot 10 can be formed in the frame-bar or in an offsettherefrom, and other variations may be made by mechanical skill withoutdeparting from the invention.

The advantages of the simple device above described for automaticallycoupling cars and thus saving the limbs and lives of brakemen areobvious.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by LettersPatent is 1. The pin-supporting frame hinged or pivoted to the draw-bar,the spring-bracket and the pin-holding loop in said frame, incombination with the draw-head and pin, whereby the pin can be set forautomatically coupling, substantially as set forth.

2. The link-supportingframe provided with a sleeved or slidingconnection with the pinframe and having projections to engage saidpin-frame and extending around in front of the draw-head, substantiallyas set forth.

3. The combination of a pin supporting frame hinged to the draw-bar witha linkholding frame sleeved upon said frame and provided withsupporting-teeth to engage the pin-frame, substantially as set forth.

4. The" combination of a pin-supporting frame hinged to the draw-barwith springbrackets, and a link-holding frame sleeved upon saidpin-frame and provided with supporting-teeth to engage the pin-frame,substantially as set forth.

5. Alink-holding frame pivotally supported at its rear, combined with aguide or guard attached to its front and with supporting-teeth, wherebywhen the teeth are disengaged the frame is guided under the draw-head toavoid nipping the same between the draw-heads, substantially as setforth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. GODSEY. Witnesses:

E. J. BROWN, T. W. FLENNIKEN.

